Why You Should Wait Until Your Kids Are 3 Before Booking Your Disney Trip to Hawaii

The only catch? It's for kids ages 3 to 12 only.

If you've got a baby or toddler younger than three, you can still take them to Aunty's Beach House during "open house" hours – from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – to play in the space, but at the end of that time period, only those of-age children being dropped off can remain.

(Aulani does offer on-site babysitting through a third-party service called Kama'aina Kids Sitters, but it's for a substantial fee of $30 per hour for one child, for a minimum of four hours – or, roughly $120 a pop.)

I went to Aulani this year with my husband and my 4-year-old and 2-year-old, and if I could have done one thing differently, I would have waited just one more year so that I could have fully taken advantage of this offering. Because we couldn't take advantage of the free child care for both of our kids and didn't want to pay so much to have a sitter watch our youngest child solo, we made a point to visit Aunty's Beach House as a family, and my husband and I took turns doing adults-only activities, like stand-up paddling and snorkeling.

But knowing how we could have shared in those moments without the stress of one parent having to watch both kids in the pool made us realize what a good deal it would have been. And it's making us seriously consider a return visit.

If you've booked your trip to Aulani and plan to take advantage of this amazing service, don't forget to submit the registration form at least two days prior to your arrival. And, because Disney takes this responsibility seriously, proof of age might be required. (I tried putting my two-year-old in a moustachio'd disguise, but nobody was buying it. OK, in all seriousness, I did ask if there was any wiggle room, and they assured me they strictly adhered to their safety standards. They wouldn't even let my 4-year-old traverse the 5-and-up outdoor jungle gym.)

And if you're still on the fence if this included-with-your-stay amenity is worth it, read on for a virtual tour of sorts.

Disney magic is in no short supply at Aunty's, where kids can happen upon enchanted fireplaces, cozy rain windows, and special portals depicting spectacular scenes from all around Hawaii. They can also stay on the lookout for hidden Menehune (think: hidden Mickeys!), a mythical creature that pops up throughout the resort.

A lifelong resident of Oahu, Aunty is considered by locals to be a true expert on Hawaiian history and cultural traditions. She leads story time and a host of other cultural activities throughout the week. For instance, she often guides a fun look at the colors, flowers, and unique names of each of the Hawaiian islands.

Although most of Aunty's Beach House is free (you only need to pay for meals, if needed, and lunch and dinner cost $10 each), there are a few offerings that parents can opt in for at an additional cost. These interactive activities showcase the wonders of Hawaii and include souvenir keepsakes. For example, your kids can play traditional Hawaiian children's games with none other than Moana or take a field trip for an up-close encounter with tropical fish.

It's a shame to have your kid stay inside when beautiful Hawaii weather surrounds them, so thankfully Aunty's Beach House includes a fully enclosed and secure backyard, complete with play structures.

Every evening, kids ages 10 to 12 can enjoy special activities with them in mind as well as a space of their own to hang out and relax within Aunty's Beach House.

The early-morning open house isn't just for under-3-year-olds to experience the fun of Aunty's Beach House. It's also a great way to get of-age kids comfortable with new surroundings. You can explore the Beach House together – and even participate in a morning dance party – as a family before officially checking in your child for some well-deserved solo time.

Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Disney for the purpose of writing this story.